An Expert's Guide to Elevated Holiday Decor

Originally published by THE SCOUT GUIDE on December 1st, 2022.

As we gear up to deck the halls, we checked in with five scouted interior design experts to see how they are bringing on the yuletide spirit. If you’re ready to move away from the traditional red, green, and tchotchke-heavy decor, then you’ll love the understated elegance of this year’s organic, sophisticated looks. From bright and fragrant citrus garlands to wreaths strategically sprinkled throughout your interior, you’ll want to leave these gracious decorations up well into the new year. Here’s to making it merry, bright, and oh so chic! To find a scouted interior designer near you, browse The Scout Guide Directory.

Make magic with your tree. We’ve all seen trees decked out from tip to trunk that look like they’ve taken hours of careful curation, but according to Jenn Laraia, owner of Jennifer Laraia Designs in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the architect of the stunning tree pictured above, all you really need to create the ‘wow’ factor many aspire to are a few strands of lights and the right type of ornament. “I like to start with a great base of lights—my personal favorites are white cluster lights. Make sure to place them closely together and all the way back to the trunk of the tree, to achieve the look of a glow from within,” she details. “Next, add ornaments that have a reflective quality like metallic or clear glass balls. These are a great choice because they are usually inexpensive, readily available, and provide a lot of depth and reflection.”